"One of the most calming and powerful actions you can do to intervene in a stormy world is to stand up and show your soul. Struggling souls catch light from other souls who are fully lit and willing to show it."
- by Clarissa Pinkola Estes

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Project Genesis

The first day of every month is a day to honor Project Genesis.( I know I'm a day late, I had computer issues). Suzan from OldGreyMare has a meme where we share eco-friendly tips on how to live a green lifestyle. Sometimes small change will make a huge impact, in our landfill and our lives.

I know this looks odd; Yes it is your standard Brillo, SOS pad. I make mine last longer. I use a Frog, it is a florist tool used to hold flowers in place. Flowers like water, as do frogs. After I use the pad, I leave it on the frog, the water from it drains off and this prevents it from rusting, so I can use it a few more times. I have read you can freeze them in ziplock bags. I haven't tried it. Just be sure to remember to drain off the soapy water.

I reuse dryer sheet to dust with or swipe one of those corner cobwebs. My friend Becky uses them in her crafting. She dyes them in coffee and makes books and all kinds of clever, creative items.
Now, I, too am dying used dryer sheets.

I reuse my junk mail. There is always an envelope in those credit card applications; I use mine for list making. Then when done I toss in our recycle bin. You can also use this for gift bags, instead of buying the crimped, shredded paper. I have even shredded brown paper bags and wax paper for a different look.

I also tend to save scraps of fabric to make gift tags for packages. You could use a variety of items, magazines, junk mail, fabric, different paper, paint, etc. It is fun to see what you can come up with, using what is available to you.

Here is one of the items on my list. I used a shipping label, I think you can buy 100 tags for under $7. It may be more according to where you live. I sewed on a couple of fabric scraps, some torn up material and a tea dyed silk rose. It might be something the recipient keeps instead of tossing in a landfill or perhaps pass on. Check out Colette Copeland's work, she makes beautiful, unique tags with various mediums. She always finds a way to delight or surprise you with her art~

15 comments:

Any day you contribute to Project Genesis is the right day!Thank you for sharing your tips. Both my Mom and my paternal Grandmother used old mail for their lists and recipes! I adore all these old snippets of paper with their recipes jotted down in their handwriting. Sometimes the paper they wrote on is more interesting than the recipe.

Awesome. I too use and re-use the envelopes junk mail came in. My husband needs to print out a lot of presentations at work, and he brings them home, so I don't have to buy a single drawing book for the kids.

Dear Ellie,Reading your post I should really try to do more.I thought I was 'green' but now I have to rethink this.

Once in a while I take my kids out to clean up public areas like the playground or the cycling paths of our neighbourhood.

But I never used old envelopes except for making smaller and smaller envelopes for payment to the grass-cutters, the school bus driver and for the girls cute stuff envelopes. Can't see why i did not use them for the grocery list!

We do not use dryer sheets as we hang out clothes in the sun.

I try to pack garbage in separate disposables and make sure water is not trapped.

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I am a Mother, of 2 wonderful children, a son and a daughter, I'm a Navy spouse, College
grad...at a stage of my life
trying to re invent myself.
Considering Culinary school, making my own magazine, and decorating Elizabeth City with chalk and fortune cookie sayings!